This is starting to get creepy. At a time when Republicans in Congress are fast-tracking the anti-voter SAVE Act 2.0 that would require an over $100 passport or a birth certificate in order to vote; new restrictions have also been announced that mean an estimated 15% of public libraries can no longer even provide passport services. [1]

Protecting the right to vote is getting more critical by the day.

This attack on passport access, and on the ability for married women to vote, is a direct threat to our democracy. Everyone is concerned — and it doesn’t take a crystal ball to see why. The SAVE Act would require all eligible Americans to provide proof of citizenship by presenting a passport (which costs over $100!) or a birth certificate that matches their current name. This is somewhat impossible if you’re married and changed your name since birth. [4]

Currently, 21 million Americans lack easy access to those documents with their current name, and roughly half do not have passports. In states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Alabama, over 70% of citizens don’t have a passport. That is A LOT of voter suppression.

Think about the nearly 69 million married women in the U.S. who changed their names when they married. Is your married name on your birth certificate? No? Then under this act, you wouldn’t be able to use it to register to vote. The anti — voter SAVE Act does nothing to make elections safer, but it does make it much harder to exercise your right to vote.

When you click to sign our petition, your message to Congress will read:

We urge you to vote NO on the SAVE Act because this bill will create huge barriers to register to vote for the more than half of Americans who do not have passports. This legislation would end voter registration drives, online and mail voter registration, and other efforts that are critical to voters, regardless of political party.

No attack on our democracy can be tolerated. Tell Congress to vote NO on the Anti — voter SAVE Act.

This bill does not provide a clear way for women to prove their citizenship without a passport, leaving many without a way to cast their ballots. It would impact working moms and those who simply cannot afford expensive paperwork to prove they are eligible to vote. This is straight up voter suppression — and moms and married women are a main target.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SAVE Act 2.0?

The SAVE Act is a proposed bill that would require documentary proof of citizenship (like a passport or birth certificate) to register to vote in federal elections. Critics argue it creates unnecessary barriers for millions of eligible voters who do not have easy access to these specific documents.

How does the SAVE Act impact married women?

Because many women change their last names upon marriage or divorce, their current legal names often do not match their birth certificates. Under the SAVE Act, these women could be forced to provide additional, costly documentation — such as a passport — just to exercise their right to vote.

Is it getting harder to get a passport?

Yes. Recent policy changes have limited the ability of many public libraries to process passport applications. This makes it significantly more difficult for families who rely on local libraries for these services to meet the requirements proposed in the SAVE Act.